264 
OPERATIONS FOR DECEMBER. 
The annual pruning of hardy plants, and the clearing of shrubberies, with the digging of their 
borders, is mostly performed at this period. The mildest days should always be selected for prun- 
ing, and no object subjected to the knife but such as really need it. Far too much pruning is 
usually done among flowering shrubs ; and hence the ungraceful, stiff, and displeasing character 
some of them are made to assume. With evergreens, such as laurels, the case is different. They 
are seldom pruned enough, and grow too straggling ; or, where they come near a walk or the verge 
of a border, are cut up square, so as to resemble a hedge or wall. 
Evergreens, growing as underwood in shrubberies or plantations, ought to have their upper 
branches shortened at this time. They are intended to form a dense thicket, but they will not do 
so naturally in such positions ; and must, therefore, be judiciously pruned. Those, again, which 
stand near the boundary of a plantation, are designed for concealing its interior and disagreeable 
features ; but they are also meant to form beautiful objects in themselves ; and this they can 
never do, if pruned into an upright wall on one side. The remedy for such a proceeding is to put 
them farther back, where they would overhang the^walk undesirably ; or, when they are connected 
with a lawn, to suffer^them to grow out upon it, merely reducing their extreme and rambling 
shoots. In the latter case, they will contribute'greatly to the variation of the shrubbery's outline. 
In numbers of localities where Rhododendrons have been planted for several years, and have 
not succeeded well, but have acquired lank and ugly stems, which are too much exposed to view 
it is a good plan to renew the soil about them, and layer all the shoots into this. They should not be 
cut in the operation, unless very slightly ; and it will be found, next winter, that every branch has 
formed a distinct plant. The whole, in two or three years, if suffered to remain, will compose the 
handsomest" bushes possible ; or, the young plants may be taken up next autumn, and planted 
separately wherever required. 
All roses, save those which are tender and have soft wood or much pith, should be pruned forth- 
with. It is better to do it now, not merely that the ground may be'dug around them, but because 
spring pruning, unless effected at the precise time between the cessation of frost and the early 
flow of sap, is dangerous, and weakens the plants. The Chinese kinds, and those which resemble 
them in tenderness, should not be touched till the spring ; though they never want much pruning. 
If cut now, their tender tissue would be exposed, and the winter's frosts would; inevitably kill the 
greater part of the shoots that had been wounded. This is the most suitable time, however, for 
putting in cuttings of all such sorts. They can be planted under a hand-glass, beneath a south or 
sheltered wall ; or"put into pots, and placed in a cold frame. 
Roses, Cydonia Japonica, Wistarias, Azaleas, and all, woody plants that are propagated by 
layers, should at once be attended to. By running a sharp and thin knife through the shoot, just 
where it is to be buried most deeply in the ground, and where there is a joint or bud, afterwards 
giving the shoot a slight twist as it is laid down, it will root more satisfactorily. This is the season, 
too, for putting in cuttings of those hardy shrubs that] are thus increased ; snch as the species] of 
Ribes, &c. 
Those climbers or other out-door plants which are supported by stakes, and which are now 
undergoing their yearly pruning or trimming, should be fastened entirely with new bands, where 
matting is the material used. It is customary to replace only those bands which have plainly 
decayed ; and the result often is that the plants are prostrated by the spring gales, and possibly 
broken. The safer method is to take away every old band, and substitute a new one in its place. 
In plant-houses, there is little to do beyond repelling frost, excluding dampness, and preserving 
everything as clean as possible. The thorough extirpation of insects may still be pursued in bad 
weather ; and the forcing-house should be early fumigated, should it be infested with the different 
species of Aphis. In proportion as forced flowers are more tender and valuable, should they 
be guarded with the greater care from the attacks of insects ; and measures* taken in good time 
to check the advance of these pests. 
Everything within doors should resemble, as nearly as practicable, all without, and be thoroughly 
torpid. To this end, water should seldom be administered, and only in small quantities. Fires 
should be avoided, when they can be dispensed with, and external coverings preferred. Air, like- 
wise, ought even now to be given on every dry day that the temperature does not fall below the 
freezing point. By rendering the plants thus hardy, the effects of the winter will be far less 
prejudicially felt. 
